PARENT VOLUNTEERS: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DERRYFIELD COMMUNITY
Rhenea Regan, mother of Mitchell ’23, Tess ’15, and Nicholas ’13,
discussing her role as a parent volunteer with the school library,
remarks “I can’t imagine, as a parent, being a part of Derryfield and
not being actively involved.” Rhenea serves as one of about 20
parent volunteers each school year who assist Librarian Betty
Jipson in keeping the library, a hub of activity for students, running
smoothly.

and has also contributed to Country Fair where she implemented the
wildly popular Dog Show. Meanwhile, Rhenea serves both as a Class
Parent and as a Connecting Families ambassador.
Anne advises, “helping out through the PFA is a good way to start
out; finding out what your child is interested in and seeing where you
can help with that program is also a great avenue for volunteering at
Derryfield.”

If you have ever walked past the display case outside of the
Technology Office and wondered who envisions and and creates
the wonderful exhibits, look no further than Rhenea Regan. Her
work on the case has garnered the attention and admiration of the
entire Derryfield community, from faculty and staff to students and
parents. Rhenea has said she enjoys working on the display case
because it enables her to be out in the hall interacting with students
during their day. “It’s great to be in the school with the students
because they always have something to say when they pass by.”

Anne Gagnon, mother of Noah ’24, Jeremy ’21, and Elizabeth ’19 is
the volunteer coordinator for the library. She recruits and schedules
over 20 volunteers who take on tasks small and large, from
organizing inventory to last year’s project of installing new shelving.
She brags that “volunteering in the library is the best volunteer
position to have. Betty is phenomenal; she loves the students and
loves her job. [Our work] enables Betty to successfully do her job
and not get bogged down in the fine print.”
For both Anne and Rhenea, their volunteer commitments at
Derryfield do not end with the library. Anne has led the planning
of the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Luncheon over the last two years

REFLECTIONS OF A GRADUATE

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

You’re a Good Man: Charlie Brown

Derryfield’s varsity athletic teams had another successful fall season that was
highlighted by two state championships, but darkened by one particularly difficult
loss.

Think back to Sunday mornings of your childhood:

curled up with oatmeal or a cup of hot cocoa and the
funnies, featuring the pitiable Charlie Brown. Add

After a successful regular season record of 26-1, the varsity golf team won Derryfield’s
first State Championship of the 2017-18 school year, and their first since moving up to
Division III. Sophomores Gunnar Senatore and Colin McCaigue qualified to play in the
NH State Individual Championship and finished the round tied for first place. The
tournament organizers sent them out to play hole #1 again, and Gunnar won the
playoff to become the 2017 State Champion for Div-III, with Colin finishing runner-up.

lights, music, and a cast of pre-teens, and you’ve got

this year’s middle school musical, You’re A Good Man,
Charlie Brown.

The show, which debuted in 1967, is a series of

Boys’ varsity soccer finished their season as the only undefeated team in Div-III and
took home the State Championship trophy. It was a year of milestones for Coach
Cousineau, who earned his 300th victory in the semi-finals, had his first undefeated
season in his 21 years with Derryfield boys’ soccer, and was named the USC Coach of
the Year for New Hampshire.

vignettes that illustrate the dynamics of Charlie

Brown and his gang: bossy and sassy Lucy; her sweet
and intellectual brother Linus; Sally Brown, Charlie’s
jumprope-loving sister; musical Schroeder; and the
Browns’ dog, Snoopy. To round out the gang, each

The toughest loss of the season was not reflected on the scoreboard. Girls’ varsity
soccer coach Peter Miller passed away suddenly in the middle of the season. Despite
losing their coach, the team fought hard and made it to the state tournament prelims.

ensemble member played a character featured in
Charles Schulz’s comic strip. Woodstock danced

around with Snoopy during the jazzy number about
the importance of suppertime. Peppermint Patty led

the whole cast celebrated “Beethoven Day,” much to
Schroeder’s delight.

Jude Farley ’22 as Charlie Brown.

Rewind ten years and I am a Derryfield freshman. Looking back to
that year, I never would have imagined my life today—sitting in
Derryfield’s Gateway building and gleefully interviewing kids as a
member of the admission team.

interest. Every time I felt the butterflies come on before an interview, or
gathering the gumption to run for a leadership role, or speaking in front
of an audience, I remembered my Derryfield family and the confidence
they instilled in me.

Derryfield was never “easy” for me. Socially, emotionally, and
academically it challenged me, every day. As a Senior, I was the kid
who threw in the towel after my college acceptance and dreamt of
the day where I could spread my wings and soar off to my dream
school. But, once I made it to that dream school, it did not take long
for me to recognize the value and impact of the Derryfield
community. A community that fosters risk-taking, adventure, and
kindness, and quite literally acts as a launchpad and safe-haven for
its students and faculty.

This Thanksgiving assembly, Gill and Marcie Roberts described a
painting of the Derryfield family, “To us, such a painting would depict
much more than a large, happy family. It would highlight the soul of a
profoundly connected community. With all of its colors, textures and
tones, the Derryfield painting would be original and unique... and
without a doubt, to our family, and so many others, it would be
priceless.”

At Derryfield, all opportunities I once shied away from, seemed
attainable. For the first time in my life I was pushed into new roles
and activities like tour guiding, painting, participating in on-stage
musical roles (this was monumental for a girl who was terrified by
high-pressure situations), and medaling at a fall regatta. My peers
had vast interests like graphic design, Broadway show tunes,
stand-up comedy, and even building computers. My teachers and
advisors were the driving force behind shaping the students,
athletes, and community members that I and my classmates
transformed into.
These opportunities and risks taken early in my educational career,
led to greater opportunities and positive risks in college where I
studied abroad, traveled throughout 17 countries, and held multiple
internships and on-campus leadership positions in my areas of
B e l o n g i n g : F a l l 2 0 17

Two and a half years into my professional career at Derryfield, these
words have never held more meaning—Derryfield is family.
■ Meredith Leyden ’11

PARENT VOLUNTEERS: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DERRYFIELD COMMUNITY
Rhenea Regan, mother of Mitchell ’23, Tess ’15, and Nicholas ’13,
discussing her role as a parent volunteer with the school library,
remarks “I can’t imagine, as a parent, being a part of Derryfield and
not being actively involved.” Rhenea serves as one of about 20
parent volunteers each school year who assist Librarian Betty
Jipson in keeping the library, a hub of activity for students, running
smoothly.

and has also contributed to Country Fair where she implemented the
wildly popular Dog Show. Meanwhile, Rhenea serves both as a Class
Parent and as a Connecting Families ambassador.
Anne advises, “helping out through the PFA is a good way to start
out; finding out what your child is interested in and seeing where you
can help with that program is also a great avenue for volunteering at
Derryfield.”

If you have ever walked past the display case outside of the
Technology Office and wondered who envisions and and creates
the wonderful exhibits, look no further than Rhenea Regan. Her
work on the case has garnered the attention and admiration of the
entire Derryfield community, from faculty and staff to students and
parents. Rhenea has said she enjoys working on the display case
because it enables her to be out in the hall interacting with students
during their day. “It’s great to be in the school with the students
because they always have something to say when they pass by.”

Anne Gagnon, mother of Noah ’24, Jeremy ’21, and Elizabeth ’19 is
the volunteer coordinator for the library. She recruits and schedules
over 20 volunteers who take on tasks small and large, from
organizing inventory to last year’s project of installing new shelving.
She brags that “volunteering in the library is the best volunteer
position to have. Betty is phenomenal; she loves the students and
loves her job. [Our work] enables Betty to successfully do her job
and not get bogged down in the fine print.”
For both Anne and Rhenea, their volunteer commitments at
Derryfield do not end with the library. Anne has led the planning
of the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Luncheon over the last two years

REFLECTIONS OF A GRADUATE

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

You’re a Good Man: Charlie Brown

Derryfield’s varsity athletic teams had another successful fall season that was
highlighted by two state championships, but darkened by one particularly difficult
loss.

Think back to Sunday mornings of your childhood:

curled up with oatmeal or a cup of hot cocoa and the
funnies, featuring the pitiable Charlie Brown. Add

After a successful regular season record of 26-1, the varsity golf team won Derryfield’s
first State Championship of the 2017-18 school year, and their first since moving up to
Division III. Sophomores Gunnar Senatore and Colin McCaigue qualified to play in the
NH State Individual Championship and finished the round tied for first place. The
tournament organizers sent them out to play hole #1 again, and Gunnar won the
playoff to become the 2017 State Champion for Div-III, with Colin finishing runner-up.

lights, music, and a cast of pre-teens, and you’ve got

this year’s middle school musical, You’re A Good Man,
Charlie Brown.

The show, which debuted in 1967, is a series of

Boys’ varsity soccer finished their season as the only undefeated team in Div-III and
took home the State Championship trophy. It was a year of milestones for Coach
Cousineau, who earned his 300th victory in the semi-finals, had his first undefeated
season in his 21 years with Derryfield boys’ soccer, and was named the USC Coach of
the Year for New Hampshire.

vignettes that illustrate the dynamics of Charlie

Brown and his gang: bossy and sassy Lucy; her sweet
and intellectual brother Linus; Sally Brown, Charlie’s
jumprope-loving sister; musical Schroeder; and the
Browns’ dog, Snoopy. To round out the gang, each

The toughest loss of the season was not reflected on the scoreboard. Girls’ varsity
soccer coach Peter Miller passed away suddenly in the middle of the season. Despite
losing their coach, the team fought hard and made it to the state tournament prelims.

ensemble member played a character featured in
Charles Schulz’s comic strip. Woodstock danced

around with Snoopy during the jazzy number about
the importance of suppertime. Peppermint Patty led

the whole cast celebrated “Beethoven Day,” much to
Schroeder’s delight.

Jude Farley ’22 as Charlie Brown.

Rewind ten years and I am a Derryfield freshman. Looking back to
that year, I never would have imagined my life today—sitting in
Derryfield’s Gateway building and gleefully interviewing kids as a
member of the admission team.

interest. Every time I felt the butterflies come on before an interview, or
gathering the gumption to run for a leadership role, or speaking in front
of an audience, I remembered my Derryfield family and the confidence
they instilled in me.

Derryfield was never “easy” for me. Socially, emotionally, and
academically it challenged me, every day. As a Senior, I was the kid
who threw in the towel after my college acceptance and dreamt of
the day where I could spread my wings and soar off to my dream
school. But, once I made it to that dream school, it did not take long
for me to recognize the value and impact of the Derryfield
community. A community that fosters risk-taking, adventure, and
kindness, and quite literally acts as a launchpad and safe-haven for
its students and faculty.

This Thanksgiving assembly, Gill and Marcie Roberts described a
painting of the Derryfield family, “To us, such a painting would depict
much more than a large, happy family. It would highlight the soul of a
profoundly connected community. With all of its colors, textures and
tones, the Derryfield painting would be original and unique... and
without a doubt, to our family, and so many others, it would be
priceless.”

At Derryfield, all opportunities I once shied away from, seemed
attainable. For the first time in my life I was pushed into new roles
and activities like tour guiding, painting, participating in on-stage
musical roles (this was monumental for a girl who was terrified by
high-pressure situations), and medaling at a fall regatta. My peers
had vast interests like graphic design, Broadway show tunes,
stand-up comedy, and even building computers. My teachers and
advisors were the driving force behind shaping the students,
athletes, and community members that I and my classmates
transformed into.
These opportunities and risks taken early in my educational career,
led to greater opportunities and positive risks in college where I
studied abroad, traveled throughout 17 countries, and held multiple
internships and on-campus leadership positions in my areas of
B e l o n g i n g : F a l l 2 0 17

Two and a half years into my professional career at Derryfield, these
words have never held more meaning—Derryfield is family.
■ Meredith Leyden ’11

Tradition, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the handing down of
beliefs or customs from one generation to the other. As a young
school, Derryfield has slowly developed traditions over the last 53
years­—from originals like Country Fair to Grandparents’ Day, to
more recently ringing the Lockwood Bell on the eve of graduation.
From these efforts, it is clear that Derryfield is a place that
intentionally cultivates community. At Derryfield, we all belong.
One of the lesser known customs is a faculty and staff favorite. The
DS Baby Sweater has been passed around since the early 90s, as a
way to include faculty and staff children and families.

Ms. Regina Assetta with
daughter Penelope ’32.

Ms. Becky Berk with Ariel ’10 and
Jason ’13.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Rutty-Fey at
krutty@derryfield.org.

BREAKTHROUGH MANCHESTER OFFERS 6-YEAR COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM

The only one of its kind in northern New England, Breakthrough Manchester offers a 6-year tuition-free college access program.
Breakthrough is hosted on two campuses, The Derryfield School for middle school students and Southern New Hampshire University
for high school students. This year we added a third required summer for rising ninth graders at The Derryfield School site to provide a
seamless transition into the high school program, which creates a pipeline of opportunity through high school and college entry. This
past year, the organization served 72% more middle school students, our largest growth to date.

goal 2: leading

“ Become a regional and state leader in
educational excellence and innovation.”

“Expand program and marketing to attract
more families and retain current families.”

Teach Your Children to Sail Their Own Ships

Saturday, January 6 • 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Join educator, parent, and Head of School Dr. Mary
Halpin Carter in a conversation about helping
adolescents navigate the voyage from childhood to
adulthood. We’ll focus on how to build
independent, emotionally strong adults.
This is a “Bring a Friend Event!” Do you know someone
who is exploring education options for their child? Bring
them along to this informative and uplifting event.

Parent Education
Speaker Series

Breakthrough Manchester continues to develop two remarkable populations of young people at the same time; motivated, diverse
students and Teaching Fellows who are inspired to become great educators and leaders. Our organization believes that bright,
motivated students should succeed regardless of their income level, race, language, family structure or zip code.

teaching

goal 4: elevating

LEADING THE WAY IN PARENT EDUCATION
This fall Derryfield launched a Parent Education Series in tandem
with SSAT testing. The intention of the series is two-fold: to attract
new families to apply as well as to showcase the wisdom and
expertise of our community. Associate Head Susan Grodman kicked
off the series with a discussion about the merits of global travels,
service, and out-of-your-comfort zone experiences. In December
Brennan Barnard “unpacked the college admission experience”,
guiding parents in helping their children find and thrive in top
choice schools. Head of School Mary Halpin Carter will round out
the offerings with “Teach Your Child to Sail Their Own Ships” on
Saturday, January 6.

The opportunities are endless—from learning to code
to collaborating with instructors synchronously or
asynchronously—technology allows our students to be
active global citizens.

expectations

MOOC

Dr. Carter closed with a motivational call to action for our alumni, “All
of you are the stewards of Derryfield, those who must help ensure that
our current and future students have the same opportunities to build
lifelong friendships, explore a myriad of academic offerings, and grow
into future leaders and visionaries.”

Parker Fey ‘21 and Miles Fey ‘17.

technology

Head of School Dr. Mary Halpin Carter shared news from campus and
the ways we are working to move Derryfield forward, including: updating
our academic program to best fit students’ needs and interests in the
21st century; and the lead phase of a capital campaign for science and
innovation space, as well as athletic and wellness facilities. David
Grosso ‘78 jumped in to share his role in these plans as a leader in
talking with alumni from his era about the projects to honor beloved
faculty, and shared how others can join.

Technology is integral to transforming the student
learning experience. Derryfield’s commitment to a
strong infrastructure supports project-based learning
initiatives, entrepreneurship, and innovation—all
tenets of 21st century learning. All members of the
community, whether it be students, teachers, visitors,
or administrators benefit from the improvements. The
additional WiFi points throughout school improve the
user experience through fast and reliable access. “By
investing in technology we can remain competitive and
offer the very best experiences for our students,”
shares Head of School Mary Halpin Carter.

Young alums gather to re-connect and learn about what lies ahead for
Derryfield. (L to R) Samantha Muskat ’17, Spencer Neville ’17, and John
Furlong ’17.

The cherished 24 year-old Derryfield heirloom has seen its share of
ketchup stains, sippy cups, and baby food—all signs of a well-loved item.
Who shall receive it next? Perhaps the Assetta’s will hold onto it for baby
#2 or pass it along to Dr. Pook, Ms. Mattuchio-MacDearmid, Ms. Avery, or
Mr. Gauthier—so many future Derryfielders from which to choose!

goal 3: building

Technology infrastructure is essential to all successful
organizations. The Derryfield Board of Trustees agrees
and has committed ongoing resources towards
campus-wide technology upgrades. Technology
Director Michael Beesley, “Teachers need access to
resources to improve and innovate instruction. Our
infrastructure has to be fast, reliable, and flexible. The
upgrades completed this summer provide and improve
increased mobility, security, and scalability.”

security

The evening was an opportunity to update guests about the many
exciting things happening on campus. Alice Handwerk, Director of
Alumni Development talked about the variety of ways alumni can, and
do, engage with the School beyond regional events, including:
hosting seniors for Independent Senior Projects; coming back to
campus for Alumni Spotlight, reunion, or stopping in for a visit when
passing through; and supporting the Annual Fund and other initiatives.

“Build a sense of belonging
and identity within the
Derryfield family.”

Colin in 1993, the sweater has made the rounds to many faculty children
and families.

DERRYFIELD 2.0

WiFi

The Alumni Council creates opportunities to build community among
alumni and students including these regional events. It is so
rewarding to see relationships deepen, or new ones created. When
Georgetown students from Derryfield connected with an alum from
the class of 1996 to share stories of their educational and alumni
experiences - it reinforced the importance of these events, and the
strength the Derryfield community has in making connections for our
alumni. The younger alums commented how warm and welcoming
the alumni from the 1970s were and how much they enjoyed spending
time together. Likewise, Linda Costello ‘70 shared, “I was delighted by
the great turnout among the younger Derryfield graduates and
enjoyed visiting with them because even though I was the oldest
alumna there, I am still young in spirit!”

THE SIBLING-HOOD OF THE TRAVELING SWEATER
Originally created by Debbie Purtel, parent of Matt ’97 and Anna ’98, after
goal 1: belonging
the birth of then Director of Advancement, Dave McCusker’s first son

coding

Blocks away from the National Christmas Tree Lighting, a lively group
of alumni gathered at the historical Army and Navy Club in
Washington, DC. The classes spanned from our youngest alumni
attending college in DC to our earliest alumni from the 1970s. It was
wonderful to see these groups connect and share their experiences at
Derryfield and beyond. We were also joined by beloved former faculty
David Haight and Gerry Connolly. This gathering truly defined
Derryfield’s core value: community.

instruction

ALUMNI COUNCIL BUILDS COMMUNITY AMONG ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

It’s a Wrap!
While driving down the winding back roads of NH or zipping along Routes 3 and 93 you may notice a few friendly
Derryfield faces. These colorful and spirited vehicle wraps are part of a larger year-long branding effort to spread
the word about Derryfield. We’re proud of our School and want others to know it! While we plan to expand our
“wrapped fleet” in coming years, both the seacoast and Andover, MA express vehicles were chosen in hopes of
increasing enrollment in these regions. Moose the Cougar can also be seen showing his Derryfield pride on one of
our athletic shuttle buses. So if you pull up beside one during your travels, give a friendly toot and wave!
#teamderryfield
B e l o n g i n g : F a l l 2 0 17

A PROGRESS REPORT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN

Tradition, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the handing down of
beliefs or customs from one generation to the other. As a young
school, Derryfield has slowly developed traditions over the last 53
years­—from originals like Country Fair to Grandparents’ Day, to
more recently ringing the Lockwood Bell on the eve of graduation.
From these efforts, it is clear that Derryfield is a place that
intentionally cultivates community. At Derryfield, we all belong.
One of the lesser known customs is a faculty and staff favorite. The
DS Baby Sweater has been passed around since the early 90s, as a
way to include faculty and staff children and families.

Ms. Regina Assetta with
daughter Penelope ’32.

Ms. Becky Berk with Ariel ’10 and
Jason ’13.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Rutty-Fey at
krutty@derryfield.org.

BREAKTHROUGH MANCHESTER OFFERS 6-YEAR COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM

The only one of its kind in northern New England, Breakthrough Manchester offers a 6-year tuition-free college access program.
Breakthrough is hosted on two campuses, The Derryfield School for middle school students and Southern New Hampshire University
for high school students. This year we added a third required summer for rising ninth graders at The Derryfield School site to provide a
seamless transition into the high school program, which creates a pipeline of opportunity through high school and college entry. This
past year, the organization served 72% more middle school students, our largest growth to date.

goal 2: leading

“ Become a regional and state leader in
educational excellence and innovation.”

“Expand program and marketing to attract
more families and retain current families.”

Teach Your Children to Sail Their Own Ships

Saturday, January 6 • 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Join educator, parent, and Head of School Dr. Mary
Halpin Carter in a conversation about helping
adolescents navigate the voyage from childhood to
adulthood. We’ll focus on how to build
independent, emotionally strong adults.
This is a “Bring a Friend Event!” Do you know someone
who is exploring education options for their child? Bring
them along to this informative and uplifting event.

Parent Education
Speaker Series

Breakthrough Manchester continues to develop two remarkable populations of young people at the same time; motivated, diverse
students and Teaching Fellows who are inspired to become great educators and leaders. Our organization believes that bright,
motivated students should succeed regardless of their income level, race, language, family structure or zip code.

teaching

goal 4: elevating

LEADING THE WAY IN PARENT EDUCATION
This fall Derryfield launched a Parent Education Series in tandem
with SSAT testing. The intention of the series is two-fold: to attract
new families to apply as well as to showcase the wisdom and
expertise of our community. Associate Head Susan Grodman kicked
off the series with a discussion about the merits of global travels,
service, and out-of-your-comfort zone experiences. In December
Brennan Barnard “unpacked the college admission experience”,
guiding parents in helping their children find and thrive in top
choice schools. Head of School Mary Halpin Carter will round out
the offerings with “Teach Your Child to Sail Their Own Ships” on
Saturday, January 6.

The opportunities are endless—from learning to code
to collaborating with instructors synchronously or
asynchronously—technology allows our students to be
active global citizens.

expectations

MOOC

Dr. Carter closed with a motivational call to action for our alumni, “All
of you are the stewards of Derryfield, those who must help ensure that
our current and future students have the same opportunities to build
lifelong friendships, explore a myriad of academic offerings, and grow
into future leaders and visionaries.”

Parker Fey ‘21 and Miles Fey ‘17.

technology

Head of School Dr. Mary Halpin Carter shared news from campus and
the ways we are working to move Derryfield forward, including: updating
our academic program to best fit students’ needs and interests in the
21st century; and the lead phase of a capital campaign for science and
innovation space, as well as athletic and wellness facilities. David
Grosso ‘78 jumped in to share his role in these plans as a leader in
talking with alumni from his era about the projects to honor beloved
faculty, and shared how others can join.

Technology is integral to transforming the student
learning experience. Derryfield’s commitment to a
strong infrastructure supports project-based learning
initiatives, entrepreneurship, and innovation—all
tenets of 21st century learning. All members of the
community, whether it be students, teachers, visitors,
or administrators benefit from the improvements. The
additional WiFi points throughout school improve the
user experience through fast and reliable access. “By
investing in technology we can remain competitive and
offer the very best experiences for our students,”
shares Head of School Mary Halpin Carter.

Young alums gather to re-connect and learn about what lies ahead for
Derryfield. (L to R) Samantha Muskat ’17, Spencer Neville ’17, and John
Furlong ’17.

The cherished 24 year-old Derryfield heirloom has seen its share of
ketchup stains, sippy cups, and baby food—all signs of a well-loved item.
Who shall receive it next? Perhaps the Assetta’s will hold onto it for baby
#2 or pass it along to Dr. Pook, Ms. Mattuchio-MacDearmid, Ms. Avery, or
Mr. Gauthier—so many future Derryfielders from which to choose!

goal 3: building

Technology infrastructure is essential to all successful
organizations. The Derryfield Board of Trustees agrees
and has committed ongoing resources towards
campus-wide technology upgrades. Technology
Director Michael Beesley, “Teachers need access to
resources to improve and innovate instruction. Our
infrastructure has to be fast, reliable, and flexible. The
upgrades completed this summer provide and improve
increased mobility, security, and scalability.”

security

The evening was an opportunity to update guests about the many
exciting things happening on campus. Alice Handwerk, Director of
Alumni Development talked about the variety of ways alumni can, and
do, engage with the School beyond regional events, including:
hosting seniors for Independent Senior Projects; coming back to
campus for Alumni Spotlight, reunion, or stopping in for a visit when
passing through; and supporting the Annual Fund and other initiatives.

“Build a sense of belonging
and identity within the
Derryfield family.”

Colin in 1993, the sweater has made the rounds to many faculty children
and families.

DERRYFIELD 2.0

WiFi

The Alumni Council creates opportunities to build community among
alumni and students including these regional events. It is so
rewarding to see relationships deepen, or new ones created. When
Georgetown students from Derryfield connected with an alum from
the class of 1996 to share stories of their educational and alumni
experiences - it reinforced the importance of these events, and the
strength the Derryfield community has in making connections for our
alumni. The younger alums commented how warm and welcoming
the alumni from the 1970s were and how much they enjoyed spending
time together. Likewise, Linda Costello ‘70 shared, “I was delighted by
the great turnout among the younger Derryfield graduates and
enjoyed visiting with them because even though I was the oldest
alumna there, I am still young in spirit!”

THE SIBLING-HOOD OF THE TRAVELING SWEATER
Originally created by Debbie Purtel, parent of Matt ’97 and Anna ’98, after
goal 1: belonging
the birth of then Director of Advancement, Dave McCusker’s first son

coding

Blocks away from the National Christmas Tree Lighting, a lively group
of alumni gathered at the historical Army and Navy Club in
Washington, DC. The classes spanned from our youngest alumni
attending college in DC to our earliest alumni from the 1970s. It was
wonderful to see these groups connect and share their experiences at
Derryfield and beyond. We were also joined by beloved former faculty
David Haight and Gerry Connolly. This gathering truly defined
Derryfield’s core value: community.

instruction

ALUMNI COUNCIL BUILDS COMMUNITY AMONG ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

It’s a Wrap!
While driving down the winding back roads of NH or zipping along Routes 3 and 93 you may notice a few friendly
Derryfield faces. These colorful and spirited vehicle wraps are part of a larger year-long branding effort to spread
the word about Derryfield. We’re proud of our School and want others to know it! While we plan to expand our
“wrapped fleet” in coming years, both the seacoast and Andover, MA express vehicles were chosen in hopes of
increasing enrollment in these regions. Moose the Cougar can also be seen showing his Derryfield pride on one of
our athletic shuttle buses. So if you pull up beside one during your travels, give a friendly toot and wave!
#teamderryfield
B e l o n g i n g : F a l l 2 0 17

A PROGRESS REPORT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN

Tradition, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the handing down of
beliefs or customs from one generation to the other. As a young
school, Derryfield has slowly developed traditions over the last 53
years­—from originals like Country Fair to Grandparents’ Day, to
more recently ringing the Lockwood Bell on the eve of graduation.
From these efforts, it is clear that Derryfield is a place that
intentionally cultivates community. At Derryfield, we all belong.
One of the lesser known customs is a faculty and staff favorite. The
DS Baby Sweater has been passed around since the early 90s, as a
way to include faculty and staff children and families.

Ms. Regina Assetta with
daughter Penelope ’32.

Ms. Becky Berk with Ariel ’10 and
Jason ’13.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Rutty-Fey at
krutty@derryfield.org.

BREAKTHROUGH MANCHESTER OFFERS 6-YEAR COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM

The only one of its kind in northern New England, Breakthrough Manchester offers a 6-year tuition-free college access program.
Breakthrough is hosted on two campuses, The Derryfield School for middle school students and Southern New Hampshire University
for high school students. This year we added a third required summer for rising ninth graders at The Derryfield School site to provide a
seamless transition into the high school program, which creates a pipeline of opportunity through high school and college entry. This
past year, the organization served 72% more middle school students, our largest growth to date.

goal 2: leading

“ Become a regional and state leader in
educational excellence and innovation.”

“Expand program and marketing to attract
more families and retain current families.”

Teach Your Children to Sail Their Own Ships

Saturday, January 6 • 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Join educator, parent, and Head of School Dr. Mary
Halpin Carter in a conversation about helping
adolescents navigate the voyage from childhood to
adulthood. We’ll focus on how to build
independent, emotionally strong adults.
This is a “Bring a Friend Event!” Do you know someone
who is exploring education options for their child? Bring
them along to this informative and uplifting event.

Parent Education
Speaker Series

Breakthrough Manchester continues to develop two remarkable populations of young people at the same time; motivated, diverse
students and Teaching Fellows who are inspired to become great educators and leaders. Our organization believes that bright,
motivated students should succeed regardless of their income level, race, language, family structure or zip code.

teaching

goal 4: elevating

LEADING THE WAY IN PARENT EDUCATION
This fall Derryfield launched a Parent Education Series in tandem
with SSAT testing. The intention of the series is two-fold: to attract
new families to apply as well as to showcase the wisdom and
expertise of our community. Associate Head Susan Grodman kicked
off the series with a discussion about the merits of global travels,
service, and out-of-your-comfort zone experiences. In December
Brennan Barnard “unpacked the college admission experience”,
guiding parents in helping their children find and thrive in top
choice schools. Head of School Mary Halpin Carter will round out
the offerings with “Teach Your Child to Sail Their Own Ships” on
Saturday, January 6.

The opportunities are endless—from learning to code
to collaborating with instructors synchronously or
asynchronously—technology allows our students to be
active global citizens.

expectations

MOOC

Dr. Carter closed with a motivational call to action for our alumni, “All
of you are the stewards of Derryfield, those who must help ensure that
our current and future students have the same opportunities to build
lifelong friendships, explore a myriad of academic offerings, and grow
into future leaders and visionaries.”

Parker Fey ‘21 and Miles Fey ‘17.

technology

Head of School Dr. Mary Halpin Carter shared news from campus and
the ways we are working to move Derryfield forward, including: updating
our academic program to best fit students’ needs and interests in the
21st century; and the lead phase of a capital campaign for science and
innovation space, as well as athletic and wellness facilities. David
Grosso ‘78 jumped in to share his role in these plans as a leader in
talking with alumni from his era about the projects to honor beloved
faculty, and shared how others can join.

Technology is integral to transforming the student
learning experience. Derryfield’s commitment to a
strong infrastructure supports project-based learning
initiatives, entrepreneurship, and innovation—all
tenets of 21st century learning. All members of the
community, whether it be students, teachers, visitors,
or administrators benefit from the improvements. The
additional WiFi points throughout school improve the
user experience through fast and reliable access. “By
investing in technology we can remain competitive and
offer the very best experiences for our students,”
shares Head of School Mary Halpin Carter.

Young alums gather to re-connect and learn about what lies ahead for
Derryfield. (L to R) Samantha Muskat ’17, Spencer Neville ’17, and John
Furlong ’17.

The cherished 24 year-old Derryfield heirloom has seen its share of
ketchup stains, sippy cups, and baby food—all signs of a well-loved item.
Who shall receive it next? Perhaps the Assetta’s will hold onto it for baby
#2 or pass it along to Dr. Pook, Ms. Mattuchio-MacDearmid, Ms. Avery, or
Mr. Gauthier—so many future Derryfielders from which to choose!

goal 3: building

Technology infrastructure is essential to all successful
organizations. The Derryfield Board of Trustees agrees
and has committed ongoing resources towards
campus-wide technology upgrades. Technology
Director Michael Beesley, “Teachers need access to
resources to improve and innovate instruction. Our
infrastructure has to be fast, reliable, and flexible. The
upgrades completed this summer provide and improve
increased mobility, security, and scalability.”

security

The evening was an opportunity to update guests about the many
exciting things happening on campus. Alice Handwerk, Director of
Alumni Development talked about the variety of ways alumni can, and
do, engage with the School beyond regional events, including:
hosting seniors for Independent Senior Projects; coming back to
campus for Alumni Spotlight, reunion, or stopping in for a visit when
passing through; and supporting the Annual Fund and other initiatives.

“Build a sense of belonging
and identity within the
Derryfield family.”

Colin in 1993, the sweater has made the rounds to many faculty children
and families.

DERRYFIELD 2.0

WiFi

The Alumni Council creates opportunities to build community among
alumni and students including these regional events. It is so
rewarding to see relationships deepen, or new ones created. When
Georgetown students from Derryfield connected with an alum from
the class of 1996 to share stories of their educational and alumni
experiences - it reinforced the importance of these events, and the
strength the Derryfield community has in making connections for our
alumni. The younger alums commented how warm and welcoming
the alumni from the 1970s were and how much they enjoyed spending
time together. Likewise, Linda Costello ‘70 shared, “I was delighted by
the great turnout among the younger Derryfield graduates and
enjoyed visiting with them because even though I was the oldest
alumna there, I am still young in spirit!”

THE SIBLING-HOOD OF THE TRAVELING SWEATER
Originally created by Debbie Purtel, parent of Matt ’97 and Anna ’98, after
goal 1: belonging
the birth of then Director of Advancement, Dave McCusker’s first son

coding

Blocks away from the National Christmas Tree Lighting, a lively group
of alumni gathered at the historical Army and Navy Club in
Washington, DC. The classes spanned from our youngest alumni
attending college in DC to our earliest alumni from the 1970s. It was
wonderful to see these groups connect and share their experiences at
Derryfield and beyond. We were also joined by beloved former faculty
David Haight and Gerry Connolly. This gathering truly defined
Derryfield’s core value: community.

instruction

ALUMNI COUNCIL BUILDS COMMUNITY AMONG ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

It’s a Wrap!
While driving down the winding back roads of NH or zipping along Routes 3 and 93 you may notice a few friendly
Derryfield faces. These colorful and spirited vehicle wraps are part of a larger year-long branding effort to spread
the word about Derryfield. We’re proud of our School and want others to know it! While we plan to expand our
“wrapped fleet” in coming years, both the seacoast and Andover, MA express vehicles were chosen in hopes of
increasing enrollment in these regions. Moose the Cougar can also be seen showing his Derryfield pride on one of
our athletic shuttle buses. So if you pull up beside one during your travels, give a friendly toot and wave!
#teamderryfield
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PARENT VOLUNTEERS: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DERRYFIELD COMMUNITY
Rhenea Regan, mother of Mitchell ’23, Tess ’15, and Nicholas ’13,
discussing her role as a parent volunteer with the school library,
remarks “I can’t imagine, as a parent, being a part of Derryfield and
not being actively involved.” Rhenea serves as one of about 20
parent volunteers each school year who assist Librarian Betty
Jipson in keeping the library, a hub of activity for students, running
smoothly.

and has also contributed to Country Fair where she implemented the
wildly popular Dog Show. Meanwhile, Rhenea serves both as a Class
Parent and as a Connecting Families ambassador.
Anne advises, “helping out through the PFA is a good way to start
out; finding out what your child is interested in and seeing where you
can help with that program is also a great avenue for volunteering at
Derryfield.”

If you have ever walked past the display case outside of the
Technology Office and wondered who envisions and and creates
the wonderful exhibits, look no further than Rhenea Regan. Her
work on the case has garnered the attention and admiration of the
entire Derryfield community, from faculty and staff to students and
parents. Rhenea has said she enjoys working on the display case
because it enables her to be out in the hall interacting with students
during their day. “It’s great to be in the school with the students
because they always have something to say when they pass by.”

Anne Gagnon, mother of Noah ’24, Jeremy ’21, and Elizabeth ’19 is
the volunteer coordinator for the library. She recruits and schedules
over 20 volunteers who take on tasks small and large, from
organizing inventory to last year’s project of installing new shelving.
She brags that “volunteering in the library is the best volunteer
position to have. Betty is phenomenal; she loves the students and
loves her job. [Our work] enables Betty to successfully do her job
and not get bogged down in the fine print.”
For both Anne and Rhenea, their volunteer commitments at
Derryfield do not end with the library. Anne has led the planning
of the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Luncheon over the last two years

REFLECTIONS OF A GRADUATE

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

You’re a Good Man: Charlie Brown

Derryfield’s varsity athletic teams had another successful fall season that was
highlighted by two state championships, but darkened by one particularly difficult
loss.

Think back to Sunday mornings of your childhood:

curled up with oatmeal or a cup of hot cocoa and the
funnies, featuring the pitiable Charlie Brown. Add

After a successful regular season record of 26-1, the varsity golf team won Derryfield’s
first State Championship of the 2017-18 school year, and their first since moving up to
Division III. Sophomores Gunnar Senatore and Colin McCaigue qualified to play in the
NH State Individual Championship and finished the round tied for first place. The
tournament organizers sent them out to play hole #1 again, and Gunnar won the
playoff to become the 2017 State Champion for Div-III, with Colin finishing runner-up.

lights, music, and a cast of pre-teens, and you’ve got

this year’s middle school musical, You’re A Good Man,
Charlie Brown.

The show, which debuted in 1967, is a series of

Boys’ varsity soccer finished their season as the only undefeated team in Div-III and
took home the State Championship trophy. It was a year of milestones for Coach
Cousineau, who earned his 300th victory in the semi-finals, had his first undefeated
season in his 21 years with Derryfield boys’ soccer, and was named the USC Coach of
the Year for New Hampshire.

vignettes that illustrate the dynamics of Charlie

Brown and his gang: bossy and sassy Lucy; her sweet
and intellectual brother Linus; Sally Brown, Charlie’s
jumprope-loving sister; musical Schroeder; and the
Browns’ dog, Snoopy. To round out the gang, each

The toughest loss of the season was not reflected on the scoreboard. Girls’ varsity
soccer coach Peter Miller passed away suddenly in the middle of the season. Despite
losing their coach, the team fought hard and made it to the state tournament prelims.

ensemble member played a character featured in
Charles Schulz’s comic strip. Woodstock danced

around with Snoopy during the jazzy number about
the importance of suppertime. Peppermint Patty led

the whole cast celebrated “Beethoven Day,” much to
Schroeder’s delight.

Jude Farley ’22 as Charlie Brown.

Rewind ten years and I am a Derryfield freshman. Looking back to
that year, I never would have imagined my life today—sitting in
Derryfield’s Gateway building and gleefully interviewing kids as a
member of the admission team.

interest. Every time I felt the butterflies come on before an interview, or
gathering the gumption to run for a leadership role, or speaking in front
of an audience, I remembered my Derryfield family and the confidence
they instilled in me.

Derryfield was never “easy” for me. Socially, emotionally, and
academically it challenged me, every day. As a Senior, I was the kid
who threw in the towel after my college acceptance and dreamt of
the day where I could spread my wings and soar off to my dream
school. But, once I made it to that dream school, it did not take long
for me to recognize the value and impact of the Derryfield
community. A community that fosters risk-taking, adventure, and
kindness, and quite literally acts as a launchpad and safe-haven for
its students and faculty.

This Thanksgiving assembly, Gill and Marcie Roberts described a
painting of the Derryfield family, “To us, such a painting would depict
much more than a large, happy family. It would highlight the soul of a
profoundly connected community. With all of its colors, textures and
tones, the Derryfield painting would be original and unique... and
without a doubt, to our family, and so many others, it would be
priceless.”

At Derryfield, all opportunities I once shied away from, seemed
attainable. For the first time in my life I was pushed into new roles
and activities like tour guiding, painting, participating in on-stage
musical roles (this was monumental for a girl who was terrified by
high-pressure situations), and medaling at a fall regatta. My peers
had vast interests like graphic design, Broadway show tunes,
stand-up comedy, and even building computers. My teachers and
advisors were the driving force behind shaping the students,
athletes, and community members that I and my classmates
transformed into.
These opportunities and risks taken early in my educational career,
led to greater opportunities and positive risks in college where I
studied abroad, traveled throughout 17 countries, and held multiple
internships and on-campus leadership positions in my areas of
B e l o n g i n g : F a l l 2 0 17

Two and a half years into my professional career at Derryfield, these
words have never held more meaning—Derryfield is family.
■ Meredith Leyden ’11